Act.

1 Midterms
1. From Rizal’s introduction, what makes the Annotation of the Sucesos a must read for
students of Philippine history?
The Annotation of the Sucesos is a must read for students of Philippine history since it is
the first comprehensive account of the Philippines written by a European eyewitness. It also
provides a balanced perspective on the Spanish colonization of the Philippines and is a valuable
source of information on the pre-colonial Philippines.
As a Filipino student, the Annotation of the Sucesos is important for me to read because
it can help me to understand my own history and culture. I want to know who I am and where I
come from. I want to know what the Filipinos were like before the arrival of the Spaniards. I
want to know the struggles and triumphs that my ancestors faced.
I believe that the Annotation of the Sucesos is a must read for all Filipinos. It is our story,
and we should all know it.

2. If read in the 16th century setting where these practices (the class hierarchy, the authority
of the Datus, the industry of the people, etc.) were observed, will you consider them civilized?
If given the chance to be re-born, would you consider living in the pre-colonial society of the
Filipinos? How is Rizal’s scholarship shown in his annotations?

If read in the 16th century setting where these practices (the class hierarchy, the authority of
the Datus, the industry of the people, etc.) were observed, will you consider them civilized?
If I define civilization as the development of a complex social order with advanced
cultural and technological achievements, then I would say that the pre-colonial Filipino society
was indeed civilized.
The pre-colonial Filipinos had a complex social order with a hierarchy of classes. The
Datus, or tribal chiefs, were at the top of the social hierarchy, followed by the nobles, the
freemen, and the slaves. The Datus had a great deal of authority, but they were also responsible
for the well-being of their tribe.
The pre-colonial Filipinos were also very industrious. They cultivated rice, other crops,
and fruit trees. They also raised livestock, such as pigs, chickens, and goats. The pre-colonial
Filipinos were also skilled weavers, potters, and metalworkers.
In addition, the pre-colonial Filipinos had a rich culture. They had their own language,
music, dances, and stories. They also had a complex religious system.
However, if I define civilization as the absence of violence and oppression, then I would
say that the pre-colonial Filipino society was not entirely civilized. The Datus had a great deal of
power, and they could sometimes be abusive. There were also wars and conflicts between
different tribes.

If given the chance to be re-born, would you consider living in the pre-colonial society of the
Filipinos?
If given the chance to be reborn, I would not consider the living the pre-colonial society
of the Filipinos unless I would be reborn in a wealthy and powerful family. If I were to be born
as a commoner, I would miss the conveniences of modern life, such as electricity, running water,
and medicine. I would also have to be prepared for the possibility of violence, oppression, and
slavery.

How is Rizal’s scholarship shown in his annotations?

Rizal's scholarship is evident in his annotations to the Sucesos in a number of ways. First,
he provides a detailed and well-researched commentary on Morga's text. He corrects Morga's
factual errors and provides additional information on a variety of topics, such as the Filipino
language, religion, and culture.
Second, Rizal uses his annotations to challenge Morga's negative stereotypes about the
Filipinos. He demonstrates that the Filipinos were a civilized people with a rich culture and
history.
Third, Rizal uses his annotations to promote his own political agenda. He argues that the
Filipinos were capable of self-government and that they deserved to be free from Spanish
colonial rule.
Overall, Rizal's annotations to the Sucesos are a valuable contribution to Philippine
historiography. They provide a wealth of information about the pre-colonial and colonial
Philippines, and they offer a unique perspective from a Filipino nationalist.